Fire-escape truck.



' N0. 636,l22. Patented Oct. 3|, I899. H. A. EADES & W. C. PARSONS. FIREESGAPE TRUCK.

Application filed July 31, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shem l.

THE NORRIS Parzas co.v PHOTOJJTHOU WASHXNGTON. a. c.

No. 636,122. .Patented Oct. 3|, I899.

H. A. EADE'S & W. C. PARSONS.

FIRE ESCAPE TRUCK.

(Application filed July 31 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets8hee\ z UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HENRY A. EADES AND WILLARD, o. PARSONS, or BINGHAMTON,

' NEW YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE TRUCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,122, dated October 31, 1899. Application filed July 31,1899. $erial No. 725,673. (No model.)

to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in extensible-truck life-saving machines, and especially to a portable truck which has a telescoping shaft adapted to be extended to an upright position, preferably by means of compressed air, and having at its upper end a bracket, which is also extensible, and carrying at its free end a pulley,

over which a rope is passed, which is attached at one end to a life-saving basket, which may be swung near to the window of a burning building and by which a personmay be lowered safely to the ground, thefixed end of the rope adapted to windabout a reel, which is spring-actuated, provided to return the basket to its highest positionafterits occupant steps out of the same near the ground.

The invention relates, further, to an extensible truck for life-saving purposes, comprising an extensible shaft, which is pivoted upon a truck and adapted to be held at different angles, and the provision of pump-cylinders, forming part of the truck, whereby the shaft may be extended, said shaft carrying at its upper end an extensible bracket provided with a reel, over which a cable or rope of the life-saving basket passes, a suitable platform being provided adjacent to the fixed end of the bracket and upon which an operator may stand to operate a friction-brake for regulating the speed at which the basket with its occupant descends.

To these ends and to such others as the in vention may pertain the same consists, further, in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinsimilar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of our improved truck. Fig. 2 is a view showing the extensible shaft closed. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the pn mp-operating mechanism for extending. the shaft. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the tilting platform.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the platform of the truck, which is mounted upon a framework supported by the axles A, carried by the wheels B. Rising vertically from the framework of the wagon are the standards 0, to the upper ends of which is pivoted a shaft D, on which the platform and the lower portion E of the extensible shaft are mounted and adapted to tilt. Within said section E of the extensible shaft is a telescoping section E, which is of such diameter as to snugly fitthe interior bore of the section E, suitable shoulder and packing being provided about the lower end of the section E, so as to make the joint between the two air-tight. Telescoping within the section E is a section E and within the section E is a section E and in the section E telescopes the section E all similarly constructed and graduated in size and working air-tight within one another. At the upper end of the section E is a plat form F, upon which the operator stands when operating the life-saving basket. Mounted on the upper end of the section E and above the platform F is the bracket-arm G, which may be extensible, if desired, and carries a reel G, provided with a spiral spring G mounted thereon and adapted to be Wound up in the unreeling of the rope J from the reel as the basket H, which is secured at one end to the rope J, is lowered. This rope J passes overa pulley K at the outer end of the bracketarm, and a friction-brake lever Q is provided, which is pivoted to the bracket and adapted to bear against the circumference of the reel,

of this application, and in which drawings so that the speed of the basket in its descent may be regulated.

On either side of the lower section E of the extensible shaft and carried by the tilting platform are the two cylinders R R, in which the pistons R work, said pistons being connected by rods pivoted to the operating-handles S. Leading from said cylinders into the lower section are the ducts T, which are valveregulated and through which the air which is compressed by the cylinders passes into the extensible shafts for the purpose of extending the same. There are two of these operatinglevers, one for each pair of cylinders,as shown by the drawings.

For clamping the platform and extensible shaft carried thereby at different angles a screw 7 is provided which has its shank portion working through an elongated slot 7' in the side of the frame of the truck and engages with a depending portion of the platform carrying the lowerend of the section E of the extensible shaft. In order to have access to the platform near the bracket-arm at the upper end of the extensible shaft, a ladderV is provided which is held in a vertical position, as shown.

Mounted at the rear end of the truck is a reel X, over which a hose-pipe Y may be wound, the upper end of which may be at tached to the platform F, whereby as the shaft is extended the hose is lifted up with the platform at a convenient elevation, whereby water may be thrown upon the burning building from the nozzle held by the operator upon the platform. YVhen it is desired to allow the shaft to be lowered, a valve is opened which will allow the air to escape, and the sections of the extensible shaft will fall bygravity, be ing cushioned in their closing movements by the air contained within the shaft.

"What we claim to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a life-saving truck, a telescoping extensible shaft adapted to be pneumatically extended, a tilting platform supporting the shaft and elevating mechanism thereof, a bracket-arm at the upper end of said shaft, a basket supported thereby, and means for elevating said basket, as set forth.

2. In a life-saving truck, a telescoping extensible shaft adapted to be pneumatically extended, a platform upon which said shaft is supported, comprising cylinders at opposite ends of the platform, a piston-rod extended into each cylinder and provided with pistons therein, connections between said cylinders and shafts, an operating-lever pivoted to the platform, and a depending arm from said lever to centrally engage the piston-rod and alternately operate the pistons, as set forth.

3. In alife-saving truck,a'n extensible shaft adapted to be pneumaticallyextended, aplatform pivotallysuspended from the framework of the truck, air-pumps and connections. carried by said platform and a clamping-screw carried by the platform and extended through a curved slot in the frame, as set forth.

4. In a life-saving truck, a sectional, extensible shaft adapted to be pneumatically extended, a framework supported by the wheels and provided with standards upon which said shaft ispivotally mounted, a platform tiltable with the shaft and carrying air-pumps and operating mechanism, a bracket-arm at the upper end of said shaft, an upper platform beneath said arm, a spring-actuated reel on said bracket, a basket suspended from a pulley at the outer end of said arm, a rope from said basket to said reel, a brake-lever operating on said reel, and means to hold said parts when the shaft and platform are tilted, as set forth.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatu res in presence of two witnesses.

' HENRY A. EADES.

' IVILLARD C. PARSONS.

\Vitnesses:

ARTHUR E. POTTER, ALBERT J. LESTER. 

